15 Signs that You’re Going to Live A Long Happy Life

Life can be a challenge, yet we try to make the best of it. Trying to be happy is one thing. But what about living a long life because of that. Who doesn’t want a long and happy life? Are you living your life to the fullest? Here are 15 amazing signs that you are living a long and happy life!

1. You exercise

Regular exercise is good to keep up your health. Running and other exercises can improve your life span and your health. What exercise you do depends on your age and other personal factors.

2. You get plenty of rest

Surely we all like to sleep. Studies show that sleep is important for good health. For adults it is encouraged to sleep about 8 hours a night.

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3. You eat healthy

Food is important for a good life. What you eat, influences the way your body looks on the outside and feels on the inside. Some foods are proven to help you live a happy and long life.

4. You eat in moderation

Overeating is a big problem for many people. Portion sizes have gotten bigger and people eat until all the food is finished. Eating too much is bad for your body and has been linked to obesity. If you eat until you feel reasonably full, your body will thank you. And if you like to drink, also do it in moderation to have a long life.

5. You manage stress well

Life is busy and stress is not avoidable. Low self-esteem can cause stress and it can make you more vulnerable for disease. Having a clear list or schedule can help you oversee things and manage stress. Less stress, happier you.

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6. You take time to relax

Rest and relaxation can make you feel calm and happy. You can take a nap, read a book, take a bath, or meditate. Meditating helps with anxiety, depression, pain and stress. Feeling calm lengthens your life and happiness.

7. You laugh

Laughing is an expression of happiness, but it also has a lot of health benefits. It can help prevent depression, heart disease and releases endorphins which makes you deal with pain better. Also, laughter can help you heal quicker, or help medicine work better. Laughter has short and long term benefits, like stress relief. So if you laugh a lot, it will help you live longer, and of course, happier.

8. You have close relationships

Having a happy marriage can help you live longer and healthier. Having sex with your partner can also add years to your life, according to this study. If you are not married, being part of a social group can help you recover quicker. Any kind of close relationship can help you live a long and healthy life.

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9. You have a good attitude

It may not seem important, but being positive in your daily life is essential to live a long life. Studies show that feelings such as gratitude and forgiveness can make you live longer and happier. Also, if you get older, having a positive attitude can add up to 7 years!

10. You take care of your personal hygiene

There are many ways to take care of yourself. Simply washing your hands, brushing and flossing your teeth, and taking a shower regularly. By doing so, you reduce the risk of spreading diseases.

11. You have children

When you have kids, you usually would think you get old quicker. The opposite is true! Studies have shown that people with children live longer. And the more children, the more years are added!

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12. You help others

Being selfless by helping out people who need it, is a great way to live a long and happy life. Volunteering is shown to be a great way to live longer.

13. You have a reason to wake up every day

People who wake up motivated, knowing why they are alive, are more likely to live long. Having a purpose in life contributes to a long, happy life.

14. You drink tea and/or coffee

Tea and coffee are, after water, the most consumed drinks in the United States. They are a source of caffeine and antioxidants. A study has found that moderate consumption of these drinks can lengthen your life. Especially green tea is shown to be great for your health.

15. You own a dog

In a study about pet owning and longevity, Dr. Thomas Lee stated that ‘people with dogs have better health’. Dogs make sure you exercise more, because you need to walk them every day. Also, dogs can reduce stress and loneliness.

10 Simple Morning Exercises That Will Make You Feel Great All Day

There are lots of studies that show if you do some exercise in the morning, you will be in a better mood all day long. You will have more energy and you will certainly be a better colleague, friend or partner.

One psychologist at Duke University has researched the effects of exercise on depressed patients and he has come to the conclusion that exercise has a definite role in treating this condition and has an important role in preventing people from relapsing.[1] According to the New York Times, scientists have now established that exercise also boosts your brain power.[2]

In addition, there are studies from the Appalachian State University which show that blood pressure can be reduced by doing regular morning exercise.[3]

Here are 10 simple morning exercises that will help you feel great the whole day long. You can include some of them in your morning exercise routine or do them all at home without having to enrol in a gym. Consult your doctor before starting any form of exercise routine if you are new to this.

1. Cat Camel Stretch

Stretching exercises are useful for muscle toning and also preventing arthritis. They can either be dynamic or static.

Dynamic ones such as the cat camel stretch, are particularly useful for doing other exercises in the morning. They are also beneficial at other times of the day, especially after long periods of sedentary work. This one is great for spinal flexibility and is a good warm up exercise.

Kneel down on all fours. Start by rounding your back just like a camel so that your head will try to meet your pelvis. This is the camel position. Then lower and lift your head so that your lower back is arched. This is the cat position. Do these movements slowly and smoothly. About 4 or 5 times.

Here’s a video to guide you through:

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2. Go for a Walk or a Run

This is better done outside so that you can connect with nature but running inside on a treadmill is almost as good. You can time yourself and increase length and time according to your fitness program.

Always have new goals to reach. Start with brisk walking and work up to running. At my age, I am still walking!

The health benefits are considerable. You can build stronger bones and you can help to maintain your weight.

3. Jumping Jacks

Michelle Obama is a great fan of this exercise and has become “Jumper in Chief.”[4] They are great for cardiovascular health and also for toning muscles especially the calves and the deltoids.

Stand with feet together. Jump while spreading your arms and legs. Return to first position and keep going! You can start with doing these for 1 minute and then gradually build up to the number you are comfortable with. Here’s how:

4. Abductor Side Lifts

Watch the video below to see how to do this exercise. These muscles are important because you use them everyday to run, get into the car or onto and off a bicycle. They are very important also for your core stability and prevent the pelvis from tilting.[5]

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Do about 10 to 15 raises for each side like this:

5. Balancing Table Pose

This is a classic yoga pose. It benefits the spine, balance, memory and concentration.

Start with the table pose (hands and knees). Breathe in before starting each movement. As you exhale, raise your left leg parallel to the floor as you raise the right arm, also parallel to the floor. Breathe in as you lower arm and leg. Repeat for the other side. 10 repetitions on each side is a good starting point.

Stand with your feet a bit further out from your hips. Arms are out in front of you. Then lower yourself as if you wanted to sit down until you reach a 90 degree angle. You can go down further if you want to. Then return to the starting position. Repeat 15 times for 2 sets for beginners.

The benefits are that these exercises help with knee stability and can benefit the leg muscles such as quadriceps, hamstrings and calves.[6]

7. Push Ups

You start lying down (face down) but with your body held up at arm’s length. Your hands should be in line with your shoulders. Breathe in as you lower your body. That is fairly easy. Now, as you exhale, you have to get back up to the starting position.

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An easier version to start with is to bend your legs at the knees so you do not have to lift your whole body.

Beginners may take up to a month to be able to do 100 push ups so you will have to start with a very small number and gradually increase it.

This exercise is great for strengthening the chest, shoulders and the triceps. It is a great strengthening exercise for many muscle groups. In fact, most muscles from the toes to the shoulders are being used.

8. Bicycle Crunches

There are numerous crunch exercises targeting the abs. The bicycle crunch is a variation where you work more muscle groups. Aim for 15 to 20 reps to start off with.

Watch the video to see how this is done correctly:

9. Lunges

Stand with feet shoulder width apart. Place your hand on your hips. Take one giant step forward with the right leg. Make sure the knee does not go too far forward, that is, past your toes. The left knee will go down to almost floor level. Alternate the legs as you go on.

Try to do a set of between 8 and 12 reps for each leg. It is important to allow for a day of rest, so this exercise should be done on alternate days, especially if you are using weights.

This exercise is great for strengthening and toning the quadriceps, glutes and hamstrings.

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10. Bicep Curls

You can do this sitting down so if you spend a lot of time on the phone, this is a great exercise to do.

Choose suitable dumbbells or another household object that you can easily hold. Sit down with the dumbbell in your hand. You need to sit forward a bit so that your triceps can lean on your thigh to give you support.

Then bring the weighted arm up to shoulder length and then down again. Exhale as you lift the weight and inhale as you lower it.

Here’re some important notes before you start doing this exercise:

Try to do one or two sets of about ten repetitions for each arm and then switch arms.

These exercises are really useful for toning the arm muscles.[7]In addition, they can strengthen and tone the brachioradialis muscle located in the forearm. These are the muscles we use to pick up things when we flex the arm at the elbow so we use these muscles countless times a day.

You may have to build in a rest day for the heavier exercises, numbers 6–10. On the rest days, you can do gentler stretching exercises and also some walking or running.

Morning exercise is not only a great mood booster, but will help you keep your weight down and also sleep better![8] Start including one or some of these exercises in your morning routine!